Line-casting machine.



J. 'R. ROGERS.

LINE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-4, 1909. 1,014,725, Patented Jan. 16,1912.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES E T OFFICE.

JOHN R. ROGERS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINE-CASTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 16,1912.

Application filed February 4, 1909. Serial No. 476,001.

machines, wherein circulating matrices representing the various characters and spaces, stored in a magazine, are released by fingerkeys in the order 1n whlc-htheir characters are to appear in print; the released matrices are assembled or composed in line, together with expansible wedge spacers or justifiers between the words; the composed lines being thereafter transferred momentarily to the face of a mold, where they form in relief type characters on the edge of a type metal slug or printing bar cast in the mold; the line being thereafter elevated from the mold to a distributing mechanism by which the matrices are returned to the magazine chanthe casting of slugs with the errors therein nels from which they were discharged, while the spacers are also restored to their magazine or holder, as shown, for example, in Letters Patent of the United. States #436,532. In this class of machines, as ordinarily constructed, it -is possible to accidentally reverse or turn a matrix side for side in the assembling mechanism, and to carry the matrix thus reversed in the line to the casting mechanism and thence forward inthe machine. It is also possible in these machines to reverse the wedge spacers, which should always be inserted with the longer wedge on the one side. This reversal of the matrices and spacers results not only in the production of a blank surface on the slug, but also in certain complications of, or interferences wit-lithe mechanism, unnecessary to detail herein.

The aim of my invention is to prevent due to the reversal of the matrices or spacers, by compelling the operator to correct the composed line if it contains a reversed matrix or spacer, before the line can be carried forward to the casting mechanism.

To this end it consists in combining with matrices and spacers which are non-symmetrical but alike in form, a stop located immediately beyond the point of composition and in advance of the casting mechanism, so that if an attempt is made to advance the composed line, it will be arrested by the engagement of the stop with .any reversed matrix or spacer.

I prefer, as the most simple embodiment of .my invention, to provide the upper widened end of the matrices and the upper widened end of the spacers or justifiers with a notch in one edge, and to mount in the assembling elevator or the intermediate channel through which the composed line is transferred, or both, a fixed stop bar which will readily enter the notches, and which will therefore permit'the composed line to pass forward without interference, while on the other hand the stop will encounter and arrest those matrices which are reversed.

In brief, the invention includes broadly the combination of non-symmetrical matrices and spacers with parts adapted to prevent them from passing forward in the machine if they are turned so as to present the wrong edge in the casting position.

With the exception of the parts hereinafter specifically described, the machine may be in all respects similar to that described in the patent above referred to, or those sold on the market under the trade-mark Linotype.

Referring to the-drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembling elevator and the intermediate channel of the Mergent-haler machine with my invention incorporated therein. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the intermediate channel on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing one matrix in the proper or normal position, and the other in the reversed position and arrested by the stop. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig.

5 is a side view of one of the matrices spechannel.

Referring to the drawings, I represents the I cally, and having in its upper end a hori zontal groove or channel to which the matrices Y are deliveredone at a time, and in which they are assembled and sustained side by side, together with the intermediate wedge spacers or justifiers Z in a common. line.

M is the stationary intermediate channel, so-called, through which the composed matrix line is transferred by the customary in Patent #436,532. Each of the matrices is constructed as usual, with ears projecting from opposite edges at the upper and lower ends, and with one or more characters or matrices, y, in one edge. As heretofore constructed, these matrices are symmetrical or of like form onopposite edges, and the machines are so constructed that matrices may be introduced into the assembler with either edge to the front, when in fact they should all stand with the matrices proper at the rear edge, in order that these characters may be properly presented to the mold with which they cooperate.

In carrying my invention into effect, I make the matrices nonsymmetrical; in other words, of such form that when one is reversed in relation to the next their edges will not register or aline at all points. The preferred form is that shown in Fig. 5, etc., in which one of the upper ears of the matrix is provided with a special notch, W.

The spacers or justifiers Z, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, consist each ofv a short wedge, 2, having supporting ears, and a longer wedge,

c connected withthe first by a vertical sliding joint, as usual, so that the ears of the short wedge will serve to suspend the device as a whole, and also to hold the short wedge from rising in the matrix line, while the longer wedge is free to be pushed upward through the line past its companion, in order to increase the thickness in the line and thus elongate or justify the latter. provide the short wedge forthe first time with a special notch or shoulder, 2 in such position as to register with the special notch in the matrices when they are assembled in a common line. On the rear wall of the intermediate channel, M, I provide a horizontal rib or stop, m, so located that if all the matrices and spacers stand in the proper position in the line, the rib or stop m, will pass freely through the notches and permit the line to be transferred to the left, as usual, without hindrance. If, however, any matrix or any spacer is reversed in the line, it will present a solid edge or an edge without a I now notch, in such position that as the line is transferred to the left it will encounter the end of the stop m and be arrested thereby. In this manner the transfer of the line to the casting mechanism will be prevented until the offending matrix or spacer is removed from and reversed in the line in such manner as to present the proper edge toward the rear. It will be observed that the longer member 2 of the justifier must slide upward freely. It is for this reason that the notches 3 and 2 are located in the widened portion of the matrices and spacers beyond the vertical face of the matrix, so that the matrices and spacers may be seated tightly against the face of the mold. 7

Instead of the construction above described, the matrices may be made as in Fig. 8, with an ear 3 on one side longer horizontally than the corresponding ear on the other side. When the matrices are of this form, the intermediate channel or any other guid-v ing channel through which the line is delivered will be constructed as shown in Fig.

special notches, I may utilize for cooperat-ion with the stop the so-called routing or recess g commonly formed in the edge of the matrix, as shown in Fig. 5, to receive the character or matrix proper, which is punched below this recess. is to be utilized, a stop bar or rib y is to be located as shown in Fig. 9, to project into the routing. As the opposite edge of the matrix is without the routing, it is clear If this routing. 7

that the-reversed matrix will be arrested by.

contact with the end of the rib. When the routing is thus utilized and the rib properly located for cooperation therewith, the spacers will be notched in one edge to correspond, as indicated by dotted lines at 2 Figs. 6 and 7.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a line casting machine, the combi-.

together with a stop located in advance of.

the casting position, whereby the passage thereto of the composed line is prevented in the event of its containing a reversed matrix 01 spacer.

2. In a line casting machine, matrices.

having notches 1 in one side only, doublewedge spacers having notches 2 in the shorter wedges, the said notches 3 and 2 normally registering in the composed line, an assembler wherein the line is composed, and means for conveying the composed line to the casting position, together with a stop m located in advance of the casting position to prevent the passage thereto of the composed line in the event of a spacer or matrix being reversed.

3. In a line casting machine, the combination of a line of matrices and ,non symmetrical spacers, means for transferring the said line to the casting position, and a stop located in advance of the casting position to 15 arrest the transfer of reversed spacers.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, 1909, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOHN R. ROGERS.

Witnesses:

DAVID S. KENNEDY LUCY E. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

